Three Mills · River Lea · London E3
The world's largest surviving tidal mill
A quiet riverside landmark on the River Lea, open most Sundays for guided tours — with a peaceful garden to sit in and coffee and cake when the volunteers are in.
Opening times
- OpenSundays, 11am – 4pm
- Tours11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm
- Tour cost£10 per person
Includes the guided tour, an artisan-made guidebook/poster, and a hot drink. Tours last about one hour.
Visiting detailsTucked away on a small island where the River Lea meets the tideway, the House Mill is the largest tidal mill still standing anywhere in the world. It was built in 1776, and for generations its great water wheels turned with the rise and fall of the tide to grind grain for London’s bakers and distillers.
Today the mill is cared for by a small charity and a team of volunteers. Whether you’ve wandered up the towpath and stopped to look, or come specially to see the machinery, you’re very welcome. Come for an hour-long guided tour, sit a while in the garden by the water, and learn the story of this remarkable survivor of London’s working past.
Discover the House Mill
Plan your visit
Opening times, tours, the garden and how to find us by the river.
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The Garden
A quiet riverside spot to sit a while — a lovely reason to stop on a Lea walk.
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About the Mill
Nearly a thousand years of milling, and the story of how the mill was saved.
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What's On
Guided tours every Sunday, plus special events through our 250th year.
Read more →Help us save her
The House Mill is on the Heritage at Risk Register. As a small charity, we rely on visitors, donors and volunteers to keep this extraordinary building standing — and to work towards the day the wheels turn again.